Sophie Volpp is associate professor in the Departments of Comparative Literature and East Asian Languages and Cultures at UC Berkeley.

(Anlian Taohuayuan). This award-winning film adaptation of Stan Lai’s popular theatrical work Secret Love for the Peach Blossom Spring presents a delightful, accidental collision of two acting groups who are double-booked for rehearsal time. Moving deftly between the two plays, one a melodrama of two lovers separated by the political turmoil of Shanghai circa 1949 and the other a classical Chinese folk tale about a utopian quest, the film offers an intriguing mix of tragedy and comedy plus a subtle comment on China and Taiwan. The film features standout acting performances and the talented cinematography of Christopher Doyle.

• Written by Lai, adapted from his play Secret Love for the Peach Blossom Spring. Photographed by Christopher Doyle. With Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia, Chin Shih-chieh, Li Li-ching, Ku Pao-ming. (105 mins, In Mandarin with English subtitles, Color, HDcam, From Chinese Taipei Film Archive)